What is the Timeline of a Personal Injury Case?

After suffering injuries from a personal injury accident, you may be worried about what to do in the days shortly after. You could still be processing the incident and the consequences of it. Recovering from your injuries can take some time, and you might be forced to miss work or experience other difficulties as a result. One of your options following a personal injury accident is to contact a personal injury lawyer like one from David & Philpot, P.L. about your legal options. If you are not sure what to expect, here is a basic timeline of a personal injury case.

Receive Medical Attention

Following any kind of accident, you are advised to get medical attention. It is best to get immediate medical treatment on the day of your accident so that your injuries can be assessed. 

Report Your Claim

Contact your insurance company and report your accident claim. This usually should be done within 30 days. Your insurance company needs to be notified as soon as possible so they can begin their own investigation. 

Consult With a Lawyer 

If you are dealing with a more complex case, you may benefit from talking to trusted personal injury who can work on the case and guide you through it. They can assess your case and inform you of its value, as well as help you recover compensation for your various losses. 

Investigation of Your Case

The next phase of a personal injury case is the investigation of your case. Your lawyer will review evidence, such as your accident and injury photos, medical reports, property damage expenses, and witness testimony. This step usually takes several months. 

Discovery Phase 

During discovery, both parties disclose the evidence and information that they plan to include in their case. At this time, the parties conduct interrogations, depositions and exchange case documents. This phase ensures transparency so that each side is prepared and will not be blindsided by the other party. 

Negotiations 

Both parties attempt to reach a settlement agreement after going through negotiations. If a settlement offer is too low, negotiations can continue until a fair settlement amount is reached. If negotiations with the insurance company are not successful, then your lawyer may decide that going to trial is necessary. 

You do not have to handle a complicated personal injury case on your own. Contact a personal injury lawyer if you need legal assistance after getting hurt in an accident.